Airplane



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W. B. STOUT AIRPLANE ATTORNEY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v INVENTOR Fatented Dee. W2 1i.

WILLIAM'B. STOUT, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN. ASSIGNOR TO PACD MOTOR CAR CO'llllirAnY, or ion'rnorr, MICHIGAN,

A COREORATION OF MICHIGAN.

Armin run.

Application filed March 2, 1918. Serial No. 220,070.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM B. STOUT, a citizenof the United States, and residing at Detroit, Wayne County, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Tmprovements in Airplanes, of which the following is a-speeification.

The present invention relates to airplanes and more particularly to the wings thereof.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide an exceedingly simple and dependable means for varying the camber of the wings; to provide a rib structure which can be manufactured with a minimum of time and labor and which has maximum strength for a given weight; and.to provide a rib having a bendable member adapted to be flexed to vary the camber thereof. Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the description taken in connection with the-drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an airplane showing the fuselage and a pair of wings, a portion of the upper surfaces of the latter being broken away to illustrate the connections for changing the camber thereof;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a rib for the wing and showing the means for changin the camber of one of its members;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a metal rib having a bendable strip attached to the lower member thereof and showing the means for flexing this latter member to change the camber of the rib;

Figure 4 is a perspective view similar to Figure 3 showing a similar form of rib but with the upper member thereof provided with abendable strip;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a detail illustrating the means for changing the camber' Figure 6 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a sectional elevation taken substantially on the line 7 of Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a sectional elevation taken substantially onzthe line 8-8 of Figure 4:;

Figure 9 is a side elevation of a rib similar to that shown by Figure 3 except that the bendable strip is supported at three points and extends substantially from end to end of the rib;

Figure 10 is aside elevation of a stamped or pressed out metal rib;

Figure 11 is a sectional elevation taken longitudinal member 21.

substantially on the line 11-11 of Figure 10, and

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic elevation illustrating a means for connecting the eamber changing mechanisms of the planes so that they are operated simultaneously.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings a rib for airplane wings is shown which comprises the upper longitudinal member which is convexly curved and the lower bers may be integral, the rib being formed by bending a single strip to the outline illustrated or it may be made in other ways. At its front end or nose the rib has its two members connected or reinforced by the angle piece 23 and at its rear end the two members are connected in any suitable manner as by means of the pin 24: and clip 25. Adjacent the nose, one of the members, as the upper member, has secured thereto a bracket 26 through which extends the tubular spar 27 formed with the aperture 28 through its wall adjacent the said bracket. A tube 29 is rotatively mounted within the spar and has an arm 80 extending radially through the aperture 28, the outer end of which is connected by means of a link 31 to a bracket or fitting 32 secured to the lower member of the rib. This lower member is formed so that it can be flexed to change the camber of the rib and it will be apparent that rotation of the sleeve 29 through the arm 3(l'and link 31 will vary the curvature of the said bottom member. The construction of rib just described is particularly adapted for use in These two memmulti-plane air ships in which, because of the plurality of planes, the length of each plane from nose to tail is relatively small.

In other words, the length of rib required for this type of plane is relatively short and consequently does not need to be of as rigid a construction as is necessary in planes having longer ribs.

In Figures 10 and 11 l have shown a novel form of rib or beam which is designed to be stamped or pressed out from sheet metal.

As illustrated, thisrib is of channel cross section and comprises the top member or flange 33 and the bottom member or flange 34.connected by the web 35. formed with the flanged apertures 36, the flanges 37 of which are interposed between v and lie substantially in the plane determined by the top and bottom flanges and constitute This web is secure reinforcing members or rings. As shown, these reinforcing-members or rings are in contact with the flanges and with one another. In order to increase the'rigidityand fistren h of the beam the parts are secured toge't'er at these points of contact in any suitable manner as by welding. :Of course the top and bottom members and the entire beamare constructed to give the proper m camber. to the rib. As is obvious, a rib or beam constructed in this manner is exceedingly strong and rigid for theamount of materialor weight used.

. In Figures 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 I have shown a rib of-the type just described, but with the'added feature of means for changing the camber thereof. Referring now to Figure 3, it will be seen that the rib preper is of channel shape in cross section and is intended to be formed by being stamped or pressed out from sheet metal. It comprises the 'topflange 'or member 38 and the bottom member 39,.connected by the web 40,-which is formed with the flanged apertures 41.

These latter flanges 41' constitute reinforcmg members or rm 3 and are inter osed between,- the top an bottom mem ers and welded thereto and to each other. As clearly shown 'in Figure 3, the-front portion of the lower member 39 is offset toward" the top 'member' 38, thus forming a recess. At the ends of this recess, socket pieces 42'and 43 are provided and a bendable strip 1s arranged with its ends mounted 1n said sockets. The forward end of the strip-is securedin the socket 43 by means such as a pin 45 while the rear end is-free toslidelongitudinally in the'socket 42. The rib is carried by a tubular spar 27 which extends.

. through the sameibetween the top and hotm members and which is formed with an aperture 28 through which extends a radial arm 30 carried by a tube 29 rotatively mounted-inthe span; As shown, the s ar is mounted in one of the apertures 41, ein'g secured to the flange, 41' in an suitable manner. The 'stri 44 carries a, racketor fitting 32 and a l' 31 operatively connectsthe'said bracket and-the arm 30 so that rotation of the tube 29 varies the curvature of the strip .44 thereby changing the camber of the rib. r

Figure 4 illustrates a construction similar to that shown by Figure 3 except that the bendable strip is earned by the upper member of the rib. In this form'of' the inventio'n th'e channel shapedstamp'ed metal rib I has its upper member 46 at the forward portion thereof offset towards the lower member 46' to thereby form a recess. At. the ends of this recess the rib is formed with socket pieces 47 and 48 and a bendable strip 49 is mounted with its end seated'in the said socket ieces, one end as the front end being d by a pin 48, the other end being free a) slide in the socket 47. This strip intermediate its ends carries a bracket 32 and isadapted to be flexed in the same mannet as described in ure 3. i i

As shown in Figure 6 the-socket 42 may be formed by bending up an extension on the lower flange 39 and the socket 47 may be connection with Figformed in a similar manner, as shown in Figure 7 Likewise the sockets 43 and 48 may be formed by bending up a piece intogral with the rib as illustrated in Figure 8.

' In Figure 9 I have illustrated'a stamped,

metal rib having one of its flanges offset towardsftheother for the greater part of its length to form a recess in which is arranged v a bendable stripsupported .at three oints.

Although the bendable strip may e attached to either the top or bottom member, I have shown only the latter form. The

lower member 50 of the rib is oflset towards the uppermember 51, as shown, and ad'as cent the nose of the rib .there is ,provi ed the socket piece 52, and at the tail end the socket 53. Midway between these two sockets-is a support 54. The bendable strip 55 is mounted in thesesockets and support, y

being held securely in the support 54 pin 56, but free to slide in the sockets 52 and 53. For the purpose of changing the camber of the rib I have shown the bracket 32 at- .tached to the strip .55 at a point intermediate the socket 52 and support 54. This bracket 32 is the same-as that already described and is adaptedto be moved towards and from the rib by any suitable mechanism,

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preferably the same as described in connection with Figures 2, 3 and 4. It will be observed that the movement of the bracket 32 will flex the strip 55 between the socket 52 and support 54 and will also cause an op site curvature of the portion of the brac et between the support 54 andsocket 53. The sockets 52 and 53; and support 54 maybe formed in the same manner as the sockets described above. camber changing feature are claimed in application 459,641, a division of this application.

It is apparent that the connection between the rotatably mounted tube 29 and the bendable member of the rib may be. made in various ways-i As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 and to a larger scale in Fi ure 5, the arm 30 may be struck up from t e wall of the tube 29. For this formed before assemb mg the parts and afterwards .it is bent out through the aperture 28 to a position at rightangles to. the tube. The aperture 28 in t e spar is of such dimensions that it permits the arm to be bent .up and also allows the necessary angular movement of the same in the operation of the plane.

As shown in Figure 1, the rotatable tubes These ribs without the A urpose the arm is means as the levers 59. The rotatable tubes,

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29 of a pair of wingspd and 57 extend into the fuselage 58 andat their adjacent ends may be provided with any suitable operating 29 of the'other planes of the aircraft may be operated as shown in Figure 12. Thus simple and dependable means for varying Ilti the camber of the wings of an airplane. The connections are all pOSltZtVQ, there be ng no pulleys or wires. Furthermore, a very few parts are used, all of whichare adapted for manufacture according to the principles of standardization, and a minimum of fitting is required in assembling the planes. The ribs are also especially adapted for quantity and standardized production. The metal rib in particular can be manufactured by automatic machinery, there being a minimum of hand labor required. Furthermore, a rib, made accordin to the present invention, of sheet metal and stamped out, can be produced in a fraction of the time required tpr the old style wooden rib. The tedious timeconsuming steps of selecting and bending the wood, shaping the parts, gluing, etc. are entirely eliminated; also the period of a year or more required to season the wood.

It is apparent that the details of the constructions described may be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A wing for airplanes including in combination, a rib having a member constructed and arranged to be flexed, a single spar supporting Silldl'lb and having means operative on said member to flex the same to vary the camber of the wing.

2. In an airplane Wing, the combination with a rib having top and bottom members, of a spar supporting said rib, and means for changing the curvature of one of said memhere including an element carried by said spar and mounted for rotative adjustment about an axis extending transversely of said rib.

3. A metal rib for airplanes comprising lon itudinal top and bottom members, one of said members adjacent the nose ozt the rib being oiiset toward the other thereby forming a recess, and a bendable strip arranged in said recess.

a. A metal rib for airplanes comprising longitudinal top and bottom members, one

' of said members adjacent the nose ot the rib being offset toward the other thereby forming a recess, and a bendable strip ar ranged in said recess and secured at to said member.

5. A rib for the wing of airplanes comprising a member convexly curved longiits ends =-tudinally, a lower member slightly curved longitudinally, one of said members having a portion ofiset toward the other member to form a recess and a bendable stripin said recess having its ends secured to the rib.

6. A rib for the wing of airplanes comprising an upper member c'onvexly curved longitudinally, a lower member slightly curved longitudinally, one of said members having a socket intermediate its ends'and a second socket adjacent the nose of the rib,

and a bendable strip having its ends mounted in said sockets.

7. An airplane wing including in combination a metal rib comprising top and bottom members, a spar extending through the rib between said members, a bendable strip carried by one of said membersadjacent the nose of the rib, and means carried by said spar operative on said strip to flex the same.

8. A rib for airplanes comprising top and bottom members, means connecting said members, one of said'members having a portion offset toward the other member, thereby forming a recess, and a bendable strip arranged in saidrecess.

9. An airplane wing including a rib comprising top and bottom members, means rigidly connecting said members, one of said members having a portion oiiset toward the other, thereby forming a recess, a bendable strip arranged in said recess, and means to flex said strip.

10. Anairplane wing including a rib comprising top and bottom members, means rigidly connecting said members, one of said till members having a portion offset toward the members having a portion oitset toward the other, thereby forming a recess, a bendable strip arranged in said recess, a spar extendmg transversely of said rib, and means carrie'd by said spar to flex said strip.

12-. A metal airplane rib comprising a single strip of sheet metal having longitudinally curved top and bottom members formed by bending up the upper and lower edge portions of the blank, and an intermediate web portionhaving struts and interstrut openings, one of said members having a portion offset toward the other forming a recess, and a bendable strip arranged in said recess. I

' 13. A stamped metal airplane rib comprising an integral structure including longitudinally curved top and bottom members and arch-shaped struts connecting said members, one of said members having a portion offset toward the other forming a recess .and a bendable strip arranged in said recess.

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; members and struts' -connect ng said mem- 14. A stamped metal airplane rib including longitudinally curvedtqp' and bottom bers, one of .said members having a portion offset toward the other forming a recess,'and a bendable strip arranged in said recess.

15. As an article of manufacture, an airplane rib made from sheet material, com- "prising a web, longitudinal marginal flanges "'I O struck up at an angle thereto, reinforcing members struck up from theweband interposed between and weldedto said flanges, a portion of one of said flanges "being offset plane'rib made from sheet material, com? toward the otherforming a recess, and a bendable strip arranged in said recess.

, 16. As an article of manufacture, an airy prising a web, longitudinal marginal flanges struck up: at an angle thereto, and arch shaped reinforcing members struck up from the web andinterposed between said flan es, a portion of one'of said flanges being 0 set toward the other. forming a recess, and a bendable strip arranged in said recess.

, 17 As an article of manufacture, an airplane rib made from sheet material, compris- -1ng a 'web', longitudinal .marginal flanges struck up at an angle thereto and circular reinforcing members struck up from the web andinterposed between said flanges, one of said flanges having a portion offset toward the other forminga recess, and a bendable strip arranged in said recess.

' 18. As an article .of manufacture, an airplane rib made from sheet material, comprising a web, longitudinal marginal flanges struck u at'aniangle thereto'and reinforc- 'ing mem ers struck upfrom the web andin- .terposedjbetween said flanges, one of said flanges having'a portion offset toward the other forming a recess, and a bendable strip arranged infsaid-recess.

19. Asan article of manufacture, a" metal beam of channel section having aseries of circular reinforcin members secured to the web and interposed between and secured to the flanges thereof, one of said flanges having a portion thereof offset toward theother forming a recess, and a bendable strip arranged in said-recess.

20. As anarticle of manufacture, a flanged sheet metal beam of channel section having a series of circular reinforcing members struck up from the web and interposed between the flanges thereof and welded to each other and the flanges, one of'said flanges having a portion thereof offset toward the 7 other forming a recess, and a bendable strip arranged in said recess- 21. As an article of manufacture, a flanged section having up from the we-ldedto the portion thereofoifset toward the other forming a recess, and a bendable strip arranged in said recess.

22. As an article of manufacture, a flanged sheet metal beam of channel section having reinforcing members interposed between an welded to the "flanges thereof, one of said flanges havin a pdrtion thereof ofl'set toward the ot er forming a recess, and a bendable strip arrangedin said recess.

As an article of manufacture, a metal beam of channel cross section havin a web and-top and bottom flanges, the we being formed with a plurality of flan ed apertures, the latter flanges interpose between and acting to reinforce the said top and bottom flangesand stiffen the web, one of thetop and bottbin flan es having a portion thereof oflset toward t e other forming a recess, and a bendable strip arranged in said recess.

24. A metal rib for airplanes comprising a web having a flange at the top and bottom edges thereof, reinforcin 'members interposed between and welde to said flanges,

one of said flanges having a portion thereof bers having a portion ofl'set toward the other forming a recess, and a bendable strip arranged in said recess.

26. A metal rib for airplanes com rising top and bottom members and rein orcing rings interposed between, joined to and arranged in the plane determined by, said members, and also-joined to each other, one

of said members having a portion thereof offset toward the other forming a recess, and a bendable strip arranged in said recess. 27. A metalrib for airplanes comprising top and bottom members and reinforcing rings interposed between, integrally joined to and arranged in the plane determined by, said members, one of said members having a portion thereof ofl'set toward the other forming a recess, and a bendable strip arranged in said recess. 28. A rib for airplanes comprising top and bottom members, means connecting said members, one of said members portion ofi'set toward the other member, thereby forming a recess, and a camber changing-device arranged in said recess.

29. A rib for, the wing of airplanes comhaving a prising an upper member convexlycurved longitudinally, a lower member slightly curvedlongitudinally, one of said members having portions bent to form spaced sockets ermee and a bendable strip supported in said sockets.

30. A rib for the wing of airplanes comprising an upper member convexly curved longitudinally, a lower member slightly curvedlongitudinally, one of said members having portions bent to form sockets, one of said sockets being adjacent the nose of the rib and the other at. a point intermediate the ends thereof, and a bendable strip supported in said sockets.

31. A. metal rib for airplanes comprising top and bottom members, one of said members having a socket adjacent the nose of the rib and a secondsocket spaced there-:,

from along the length of the rib and 'a' bendable strip supported at its ends in said sockets.

32. Inan airplane, in combination, a rib, a hollow rotatively mounted shaft having an arm struck up therefrom, and I means connected to said arm to vary the camber of I said rib when said shaft is rotated.

33. In an airplane, in combination, a rib. a tubular spar formed with an opening in its wall, a shaft rotatively mounted in said spar, an arm'rigid with said shaft projecting through said opening, and means connected to ,said arm to vary the camber of said ribwhen said shaft is rotated.

3 th an airplane in combination, a rib, a tubular spar formed with an opening in its wall, a hollowshaft rotatively mounted in said spar, .an arm struck up from said "shaft projecting through said opening, and meansconnected to said arm to vary the camber of said rib when said shaft is rotated.

35. In an airplane, in combination, a

a rib carried by said spar, and means extending through said opening operatively connecting said shaft'and said rib to vary the camber "of the rib when the shaft is rotated. I

37. In an airplane wing, the combination with a rib having top and bottom members, of a spar constituting the main support for said rib, and means to vary the curvature of one of said members including a rotatively mounted element extending transversely of the rib and carried by said spar;

In testimony whereof I afix .my signature.

n. sron'r. 

